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malaptica's review against another edition
4.0
I've only really liked this book on multiple re-reads, but it is actually a very satisfying, complex end to a very complex series. It's not warm and fuzzy but it stays true to its core, which was a story about war and sacrifice. The disillusionment and pain of the major characters supersedes any joy at their victory, and though I have reservations about the final ending (I think we could have just concentrated on the pain of the characters and not the inevitable political fallout) it was good. A relief, even, in view of the ghost-writing that weakened the series in the 30s and drove me temporarily away from the books.
kat_smith24's review against another edition
3.0
I was frustrated with this book. It felt like K.A. Applegate was wrapping up the series so she could get started on her next series sooner.
After I've suffered through all the "filler" books in the middle of this series, I think Applegate could have bitten the bullet and finished the "Animorphs" as they should have been finished.
Of course, that's not going to stop me from reading "Remnants".
After I've suffered through all the "filler" books in the middle of this series, I think Applegate could have bitten the bullet and finished the "Animorphs" as they should have been finished.
Of course, that's not going to stop me from reading "Remnants".
orchardoriole's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
aquailsaubergine's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
thejanewayprotocol's review against another edition
5.0
Oh man. I am such an emotional wreck. I am so mentally exhausted from this rollercoaster ride of an epic series.
I decided to reread the Animorph series this past December, and I just finished the last book. What an amazing series that first came out in 1998, and I really think it stands the test of time. What a trip to think that this series has been around for over 20 years now.
I think that for the most part I dislike the final book in a lot of series. It just never wraps up the way you want it, you don't like the ending for some characters, there are always some unanswered questions, and you are just overall angry that your favourite series is over.
And while the above can be used to describe my feelings for this book, I am not mad about the ending either. I really thought it was a good way the end things. Maybe I went a little easier on it because there is just so many in the series, but I was pretty satisfied with the conclusion.
First off, I knew it was coming, but I still was not prepared for Rachel's death. I just wasn't. For a crazy wild moment, my brain made me forget what was going to happen and I hoped against hope that she would come out unscathed. But she didn't. And I was not okay.
But really, that was probably the best ending for her. There was no way she would be able to go back into civilian life after the war. She was too far gone. There were times in the series I actually started to dislike her, especially since I knew that she was even aware of the way she was changing. It used to bother her, but somewhere along the way, she embraced it and didn't look back. I thought it might actually affect her relationship with Tobias in the end. It didn't. I was happy it didn't, but I had a hard time believing in their relationship towards the end. They just separated to far at the end of the spectrum from each other; indeed, Tobias really seemed to be another Cassie in most discussions often agreeing with her in most arguments. Rachel had no patience for Cassie's passiveness, yet found it endearing in Tobias. That bothered me a lot.
And speaking of Tobias... his ending was probably my least favourite. I have always had a special place in my heart for him, but he really disappointed me in the end. I can understand him withdrawing into his hawk form after Rachel's death, she being the only person who has shown him real love, but I can't believe that he didn't keep in touch with his mother. Everything about their relationship seemed to be growing in such a positive way, I wish she had made more of an effort to try and get him back into the real world. And same with Ax! They were Shorms. That just broke my heart. When Jake comes to find him for their next adventure, he's just too... normal about it? I just think if he is going to be a recluse and embrace his inner hawk, I thought he should've been a lot more aggressive with Jake, who was the catalyst for all his heartbreak.
Marco's ending was just so hilariously perfect. All the things he joked about doing in the beginning of the series he totally ended up doing! Becoming famous, going on Dave Letterman, and driving all those expensive cars. (Hopefully he has learned to drive properly now!?) It makes sense to me that the war w0uld not effect him so drastically as some of the others. It was so great of him to watch over his best friend, Jake, and that he kept his humour the whole series. I think Applegate should get a lot more credit for the humour in this series. 20 years later and I was still laughing out loud at some of the stuff that was said.
Cassie's ending made sense to me too. All her protests and philosophical musings though out this series made it so she could look herself in the mirror when it was done. She was an essential part of the team, but I think her books were my least favourite in the series. I'm sad that she and Jake never ended up together, that she couldn't get him out of his funk, but I was happy to see her use her experience and powers to help the environment and the world. Her work with the Hork Bajir made me think of Hermione with the House Elves. And for that, she will too have a special place in my heart.
Ax was made a Prince back in the Andalite world, finally out from Elfangors shadow. His ending was pretty typical. I thought he might have actually wanted to stay on earth in the end, but some how him commanding an explorer ship in the galaxy and boring all his Arisths will endless explanations of why this and why that makes me smile. But whyyyyyyyy could he not have taken Tobias with him????
Then we have Jake. I really thought he would have been okay. Is it wrong of me to find him commanding Rachel to kill his brother some how poetic?? I mean, he agreed to be part of the resistance when he realised that Tom was a controller and vowed to save him. He knew that Rachel was falling down a dark hole and would not be coming up again. And when it became clear that the only way he was going to be able to save Tom in the end was to actually end his life, he was able to create a perfect out for Rachel as well.
But that decision haunted him so much he became a recluse. He spent his days at Rachel's grave, and drew into himself. He didn't marry Cassie. It wasn't until he found out that Ax was in trouble that he was able to regain some of his old personality back. I guess he was more like Rachel anyone realised. I guess that was kind of clever of Applegate to have those books that drew parallels with his great grandfather who fought in WWII. Some people never really leave the war.
This series will always be precious to me. I'm glad I took the time to reread this series, and I hope that a whole new generation will be able to find these books as well.
2019 Pop Sugar Challenge #2 - A Book That Makes You Nostalgic
I decided to reread the Animorph series this past December, and I just finished the last book. What an amazing series that first came out in 1998, and I really think it stands the test of time. What a trip to think that this series has been around for over 20 years now.
I think that for the most part I dislike the final book in a lot of series. It just never wraps up the way you want it, you don't like the ending for some characters, there are always some unanswered questions, and you are just overall angry that your favourite series is over.
And while the above can be used to describe my feelings for this book, I am not mad about the ending either. I really thought it was a good way the end things. Maybe I went a little easier on it because there is just so many in the series, but I was pretty satisfied with the conclusion.
First off, I knew it was coming, but I still was not prepared for Rachel's death. I just wasn't. For a crazy wild moment, my brain made me forget what was going to happen and I hoped against hope that she would come out unscathed. But she didn't. And I was not okay.
But really, that was probably the best ending for her. There was no way she would be able to go back into civilian life after the war. She was too far gone. There were times in the series I actually started to dislike her, especially since I knew that she was even aware of the way she was changing. It used to bother her, but somewhere along the way, she embraced it and didn't look back. I thought it might actually affect her relationship with Tobias in the end. It didn't. I was happy it didn't, but I had a hard time believing in their relationship towards the end. They just separated to far at the end of the spectrum from each other; indeed, Tobias really seemed to be another Cassie in most discussions often agreeing with her in most arguments. Rachel had no patience for Cassie's passiveness, yet found it endearing in Tobias. That bothered me a lot.
And speaking of Tobias... his ending was probably my least favourite. I have always had a special place in my heart for him, but he really disappointed me in the end. I can understand him withdrawing into his hawk form after Rachel's death, she being the only person who has shown him real love, but I can't believe that he didn't keep in touch with his mother. Everything about their relationship seemed to be growing in such a positive way, I wish she had made more of an effort to try and get him back into the real world. And same with Ax! They were Shorms. That just broke my heart. When Jake comes to find him for their next adventure, he's just too... normal about it? I just think if he is going to be a recluse and embrace his inner hawk, I thought he should've been a lot more aggressive with Jake, who was the catalyst for all his heartbreak.
Marco's ending was just so hilariously perfect. All the things he joked about doing in the beginning of the series he totally ended up doing! Becoming famous, going on Dave Letterman, and driving all those expensive cars. (Hopefully he has learned to drive properly now!?) It makes sense to me that the war w0uld not effect him so drastically as some of the others. It was so great of him to watch over his best friend, Jake, and that he kept his humour the whole series. I think Applegate should get a lot more credit for the humour in this series. 20 years later and I was still laughing out loud at some of the stuff that was said.
Cassie's ending made sense to me too. All her protests and philosophical musings though out this series made it so she could look herself in the mirror when it was done. She was an essential part of the team, but I think her books were my least favourite in the series. I'm sad that she and Jake never ended up together, that she couldn't get him out of his funk, but I was happy to see her use her experience and powers to help the environment and the world. Her work with the Hork Bajir made me think of Hermione with the House Elves. And for that, she will too have a special place in my heart.
Ax was made a Prince back in the Andalite world, finally out from Elfangors shadow. His ending was pretty typical. I thought he might have actually wanted to stay on earth in the end, but some how him commanding an explorer ship in the galaxy and boring all his Arisths will endless explanations of why this and why that makes me smile. But whyyyyyyyy could he not have taken Tobias with him????
Then we have Jake. I really thought he would have been okay. Is it wrong of me to find him commanding Rachel to kill his brother some how poetic?? I mean, he agreed to be part of the resistance when he realised that Tom was a controller and vowed to save him. He knew that Rachel was falling down a dark hole and would not be coming up again. And when it became clear that the only way he was going to be able to save Tom in the end was to actually end his life, he was able to create a perfect out for Rachel as well.
But that decision haunted him so much he became a recluse. He spent his days at Rachel's grave, and drew into himself. He didn't marry Cassie. It wasn't until he found out that Ax was in trouble that he was able to regain some of his old personality back. I guess he was more like Rachel anyone realised. I guess that was kind of clever of Applegate to have those books that drew parallels with his great grandfather who fought in WWII. Some people never really leave the war.
This series will always be precious to me. I'm glad I took the time to reread this series, and I hope that a whole new generation will be able to find these books as well.
2019 Pop Sugar Challenge #2 - A Book That Makes You Nostalgic
wolverinefactor's review against another edition
3.0
So it’s been 60+ weeks of reading these every Friday.
I already knew who died and how it all ended but doing the journey fully was an adventure. I hadn’t read 90% of these before.
Here’s the thing, the first fifty pages could have been on the previous book and would have tied up the story perfectly.
Instead we do two time jumps, put our characters back into harms way and end on a cliffhanger.
Yes, I know that if you read XYZ you’ll know the outcome of the actions but kids spent five years growing up with these characters and the ending feels like a slap in the face rather than a send off.
The series ended 20 years ago (fuck I’m old) and I’m kinda bummed that the author hasn’t given fans a send off series.
I know it doesn’t always work (looking at you Traveling Pants!)but something is better than nothing.
For future reference to myself I won’t read past the first fifty or so pages and stop before the first time jump.
I already knew who died and how it all ended but doing the journey fully was an adventure. I hadn’t read 90% of these before.
Here’s the thing, the first fifty pages could have been on the previous book and would have tied up the story perfectly.
Instead we do two time jumps, put our characters back into harms way and end on a cliffhanger.
Yes, I know that if you read XYZ you’ll know the outcome of the actions but kids spent five years growing up with these characters and the ending feels like a slap in the face rather than a send off.
The series ended 20 years ago (fuck I’m old) and I’m kinda bummed that the author hasn’t given fans a send off series.
I know it doesn’t always work (looking at you Traveling Pants!)but something is better than nothing.
For future reference to myself I won’t read past the first fifty or so pages and stop before the first time jump.
prairiedances's review against another edition
5.0
The end of Animorphs. It was great to reread this one ten years later. KA Applegate does a great job showing the realities of life after war. It'd be awesome if all the characters went back to being kids after fighting for three years but sadly that's not the case. All the characters, Ax, Tobias, Marco, Cassie, Jake, and even Rachel get a say in the last installment but Jake's the most fleshed out character and as I mentioned before, my favorite. Something about the quiet, silent, and tragic war hero I guess. Still, I think there could of been more of Tobias because after Jake he's the most complex and interesting. The ending is annoyingly ambiguous but I think that ending how the series began-fighting- is a good way to go. I'd love to see these characters again.
kavtom's review against another edition
5.0
Oh, it is finally over. I have been destroyed. I'm a shell of my former self. Even though I've managed to read this series in two months, it feels like I was actually part of this war for years. I've been completely immersed in it. I'm emotionally spent. I need to lay down and sleep for couple of years.
All in all I'm content with the finale. I have mourned the losses. Adventure continues (For boys only, which I'm a little peeved about, even though I love the world Cassie is building). I'm glad it was an open end. Now I'm free to imagine any happy ending I want.
All in all I'm content with the finale. I have mourned the losses. Adventure continues (For boys only, which I'm a little peeved about, even though I love the world Cassie is building). I'm glad it was an open end. Now I'm free to imagine any happy ending I want.